2022.03.22 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 8, 2022 Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Axberg thanked City Clerk Spangrud for all of her efforts. She explained she has served as an election judge in the past. She asked if the City has received any negative feedback from existing residents and the precincts and could these concerns be addressed in this plan. City Clerk Spangrud stated this was a really good question. She indicated she has not received a lot of feedback from people in the southern part of the City who were having to drive north. She understood this didn’t mean they weren’t feeling it, but they have not verbalized it to staff. She stated she does hear from the seniors who live in the housing across the street from the NBCC who were upset that they cannot vote at the Community Center. She explained this would be changing for the seniors because the House District boundary has moved north and these seniors would now be able to vote at St. John’s or the NBCC. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported the Council discussing the lack of City/public spaces in the southern portion of New Brighton at a future worksession meeting. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned if voting could occur at the Eagle’s facility. City Clerk Spangrud explained polling places were required to be smoke and liquor free and could not be next door to a liquor service area. Councilmember Abdulle estimated it would take precinct 2 residents five minutes to get to their polling location. He noted there was no public transportation available which meant people would have to drive or carpool. City Clerk Spangrud thanked the Council for all of their feedback and stated she would appreciate a contact to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. City Manager Massopust explained staff would be working on the plan per Council’s direction and this item would be coming back to the Council for consideration on Tuesday, March 22. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked staff for all of their efforts on this and for taking into consideration all of the viewpoints from the community. Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates Devin Massopust City Manager Massopust reported on Wednesday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m. the City will be hosting an open house at the NBCC to discuss the Old Highway 8 road project. He noted 1,600 letters were sent out for the open house. He commented the Community Center has its highest number of visitors last week since March 6, 2020, which was a great sign. He thanked the Council for their time and the conversations that were held at the strategic planning session on Saturday, March 5. Graeme Allen Councilmember Allen reported the Public Safety Commission will meet next on Monday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. He explained he appreciated the conversations that were held at the strategic planning session and thanked Barb Strandell and all staff members for their efforts at this event. He thanked Ramsey County Attorney John Choi for attending the Council worksession meeting this evening and for providing the Council with a detailed presentation on crime and crime initiatives. Emily Dunsworth Councilmember Dunsworth reported PREC met on Wednesday, March 2 where the group discussed implementation of the parks comprehensive plan which included plans for a splash pad at Lions Park, and upgrades to Totem Pole Park and Sunny Square Park. She commented the Cable Commission Executive Committee was meeting on Thursday, March 10 to discuss the next steps to finding a new Executive Director. She explained she would be at the farmers market on Wednesday, March 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. She encouraged the public to stop by and say hi. Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates